Successfully cooking for one person involves a lot more than just downsizing a standard recipe, and there’s a brand-new cookbook to help. The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook: 175 Super Easy Recipes Made Just for You by Joanie Zisk (Adams Media, December 2019) not only is full of single-serving recipes but also is packed with tips and ideas for making a one-person kitchen work, with no wasted ingredients or unwanted leftovers.

* Complimentary book received for review. This post may contain affiliate links.

The first chapter alone is worth the price of admission, with sections on equipment, tips and techniques, avoiding food waste, stocking your kitchen, and more, all geared toward single-serving and small-batch cooking.

Once you’ve got a handle on those basics, you’ll be ready to move on to the recipes, from breakfast to dessert and everything in between, such as:

• Bananas Foster Oatmeal
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Chicken Alfredo
• Beef Fajitas
• Stuffed Pepper
• Zucchini Lasagna
• Salmon Baked in Foil
• Shrimp Quesadilla
• Chickpea Curry
• Skillet Ratatouille
• No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

As you can see from this sampling, there are no compromises here! This book is full of real, full-on meals, sides, and treats, all streamlined for one—proof that a person living alone can cook delicious food without waste, either of unused produce and other ingredients or of unwanted leftovers.

Personally, I find myself drawn to the recipes for simple meals, which will definitely come in handy for me when my husband is away on business and I have to fend for myself. This book will inspire me to get into the kitchen and make myself something wholesome and delicious, for sure.

However, I must admit that I don’t find all of recipes suitable for me; if I’m gathering 10 ingredients and my oven is on for 40 minutes, I want more than a single serving of cake to show for it, but that’s just me. The granola recipe also confuses me, as it only makes 1 cup of granola but can be stored for 3 weeks with the recommendation to “Keep a jar on hand to enjoy by the handful.” And I do want leftover chili and stew, since I think they taste better the next day. But again, that’s just my preference—your mileage may vary.

I think The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook would be a thoughtful gift for someone just starting out on their own. Zisk’s guidance in all aspects preparing single-serving dishes will provide a sound basis for a lifetime of good kitchen habits as well as offering a wealth of recipes and inspiration for cooking good food for just one person.

If the concept of this book appeals to you, you’ll want to visit Joanie Zisk’s website, OneDishKitchen.com. There you’ll find more single-serving recipes as well as articles about cooking for one.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!

Giveaway: One lucky winner (US-only) is going to win a copy of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook thanks to Adams Media.

Giveaway Details: This giveaway is open to residents of the US ONLY age 18 and over. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering. This giveaway will close on January 6th, 2020 at 11:59 pm EST time. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may or may not make a small commission which helps to support this website. Thank you!!! 

Astrology—whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you probably know what your zodiac sign is, and even the signs of the significant people in your life. Now there’s a brand-new cookbook to help you tailor your menu to suit your sign, or that of your guests! May I present Your Astrological Cookbook: The Perfect Recipe for Every Sign by Catherine Urban (Adams Media, November 2019).

* Complimentary book received for review. This post contains affiliate links.

In the Introduction, Urban describes the book’s premise this way: “Each astrological sign has food favorites based on their personality traits, ranging from the aesthetic appeal, to the flavors, and even to the origins of the food itself. By tapping into the tastes and traits of your zodiac sign, you can reveal the perfect meal for you.”

The first chapter is called Stellar Dishes: Combining Astrology and Cooking, and it’s both a short tutorial on astrology and a discussion of the types of foods suited to the different sun signs, elements (fire, earth, air, and water), and modalities (cardinal, fixed, and mutable signs), as well as the foods ruled by the different planets. Here, Urban suggests that we can use the recipes in the book to cook not only according to our sun sign but in accordance with the current season or moon sign.

Next are twelve chapters, one for each sign of the zodiac, full of recipes suited to the characteristics of that sign. Each chapter begins with an overview of the sign; for example, the first, Aries, is described as The Spontaneous Chef, who can turn kitchen errors into “culinary discoveries.” Likewise, each recipe begins with a header giving more information about the sign it’s paired with and why it’s appropriate for that sign. So if you’re making dessert for your favorite Libra, consider the Chocolate Mousse, “a smooth, sensual dessert that will make any chic Libran melt.” Within each chapter you’ll find recipes encompassing a broad range of culinary styles, with selections for breakfasts, main dishes, side dishes, light meals, snacks, sweets, and a cocktail.

Here are some examples:

• Gemini, The Adventurous Chef: Lemon Poppy Seed Smoothie; Golden West Chili; Nectarine Upside-Down Cake
• Leo, The Luminous Chef: Hummus and Tofu Sandwiches; Pumpkin Ale Soup; Pistachio-Crusted Halibut
• Virgo, The Logical Chef: Spinach and Ricotta Mini Quiches; Nutty Chicken Fingers; Grapefruit Cosmopolitan
• Scorpio, the Enigmatic Chef: Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes; Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme; Triple Chocolate Cupcakes
• Capricorn, The Sophisticated Chef: Shakshuka; Roast Beef with Caramelized Onion Panini; Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Your Astrological Cookbook is a fun way to explore new flavors and maybe even learn a little bit about yourself at the same time. Got an astrology buff on your gift list? This book would make a great present for them. They’re sure to enjoy reading about their favorite subject as they’re making delicious food. Perfect!

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!

Giveaway: One lucky winner is going to win a copy of Your Astrological Cookbook, thanks to Adams Media (an imprint of Simon & Schuster publishing).

Giveaway Details: This giveaway is open to residents of the US ONLY age 18 and over. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering. This giveaway will close on December 28th, 2019 at 11:59 pm EST time. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may or may not make a small commission which helps to support this website. Thank you!!!